in the same span of time, harry reid has faced 386. for most of our history, the filibuster was used very sparingly, but in recent years, what was rare has become routine. the exception has become the norm. everything is filibustered. every procedural step of the way, with paralyzing effect. the senate was meant to cool the process, not send it into a deep freeze. still, the democratic majority came into the upper chamber in 2007. the senates of the 110th, 111th, and the current 112th congress have witnessed the three highest total -- totals of filibusters ever recorded. a recent report found the current senate has passed a record low 2.8% of bills introduced. that is 66% decrease from the last republican majority in 2005 and 2006 and a 90% decrease from the high in 1955-1956. so the republicans argue in 2005 an exercise of the constitutional option under the current circumstances would be an act of restoration. an act of restoration. i cannot improve on that statement. we must return the senate to a time when every procedural step was